A colonial-style hotel, the Maya Campeche Hotel (Calle 57 between Calles 14 and 16, tel. 981/816-8053, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/561-8730, www.mayacampechehotel.com.mx, US$35 s with a/c, US$41 d with a/c) offers simple but charming rooms in the heart of the city. All have high ceilings, stenciled walls, and ironwork furnishings. The rooms are a little small and dark but the overall ambiance combined with quiet air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and spotless bathrooms make all the difference. Wireless Internet available in the lobby.

Hotel López (Calle 12 between Calles 61 and 63, tel. 981/816-3344, www.hotellopezcampeche.com, US$39 s/d, extra person US$4) gets points for renovating its rooms, something few hotels in Campeche bother to do. The rooms are pretty sterile, yes, but artwork and arch doorways go away once the lights are out, while clean linens and firm beds last all night long. All units have hot water, cable, and mini-split air-conditioning; there’s wireless Internet in the lobby, and free parking. If you’re after comfort and value, this is a fine choice.

Occupying a two-story colonial building, Hotel Regis (Calle 12 between Calles 55 and 57, tel. 981/816-3175, hotelregis [at] prodigy [dot] net [dot] mx, US$25 s with a/c, US$29 d with a/c) has seven rooms that vary from big to huge, with high ceilings, black-and-white tile floors, one or two double beds, and mini-split air-conditioning. The bathrooms are tiny and could use a scrubbing but overall, it’s a good value.

Hotel América (Calle 10 between Calles 59 and 61, tel. 981/816-4588, www.hotelamericacampeche.com, US$39 s, US$45 d) occupies a pleasant old three-story mansion. There are better hotels in this price range, but if you do end up here ask for a room on the 2nd floor, whose breezy corridor is more welcoming than the dark hallway a floor above. Rooms 117 and 118 look onto a quiet interior courtyard, while rooms 101–103 are large, with street views (but also noise). Continental breakfast is included.